Reinforcing the correct angle of approach to the attack and additionally this drill helps to develop good arm and hand positioning for the spike.
Set up
# of players : 1-12 players
Ideal : 2 players
Equipment : 4+ balls
Average duration : 15-25 minutes
Description
- The athlete faces the direction of a regular spike approach.
- This is on a slight angle (facing the cross court corner) for a right-hander on the left side and closer to straight on for a righthander on the right side.
- The opposite applies for a left-handed attacker.
- The athlete then tosses the ball up in front of them and with a high arm swing and staying on the ground plays either a soft shot to any one of the areas outlined by the coach.
It may be beneficial for the athlete to play one hard attack in between each soft shot to reinforce the maintenance of a high arm.
Evaluation :
# of good reps in each zone(ex. 10)
Variations
- Rotate between players.
- Switch side.
Progression
- Instead of tossing to themselves, athletes can have a partner or coach set them up.
- If the athletes have mastered the spike approach they could then move towards attacking the ball off a spike jump.
Key points
- Athletes need to be reminded to contact the ball high and to snap with the wrist to change the direction of the ball rather than changing the direction of the ball by dropping the elbow.
- When a right-handed athlete is attacking from the right side they will want to think ‘thumb up’ on the cut and ‘thumb down’ for the line.
- When a right-handed athlete is attacking from the left side they must think ‘thumb down’ for the cut and ‘thumb up’ for the line.
- The opposite will apply for left handed athletes.